What do I need to know in terms of electrics when fitting new lights in the garden?
Paul Collins, Head of Technical Services at NICEIC, answers:
“When fitting new lights in the garden, it is vital that all work completed is done in accordance with the latest Electrical Regulations (BS 7671) to guarantee maximum safety. As the lights are being fitted outside, there is the added risk of adverse weather – this increases the risk of injury from an electric shock when handling outdoor electrical equipment.
“Outdoor lighting is at the top of the list for garden installations, with 51% saying they planned to install lighting to their garden last year. Speak to your local NICEIC certified electrical contractor before any outdoor light fixtures are fitted as they can advise the safe and appropriate steps that need to be taken to ensure the work is carried out to the highest standard.
“Should you employ their services, they will also be able to take care of the appropriate notification to the local building control body (if required) and issue certification once the work is completed.
“You can also speak to your local NICEIC certified contractor about carrying out an electrical inspection, especially if you have any concerns regarding the electrics in your garden.
“Following this inspection, you will receive an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) that will highlight damage, defects or dangerous conditions in your garden.
“You can search for an NICEIC certified contractor in your area by simply visiting niceic.com and typing in your postcode – but do make sure you get quotes from at least three different NICEIC certified contractors before agreeing to carry out any work.”
Heart Research UK Healthy Heart Tip, written by the Health Promotion and Education Team at Heart Research UK
Healthy Heart Tip: Cooking from Scratch
Cooking from scratch can be more nutritious, tastier, cheaper, and it doesn’t have to take long. Give it a go and enjoy the sense of achievement once you’ve cooked a delicious meal:
Keep It Simple!
If you are new to cooking from scratch, try to keep meals simple to start with. If time is an issue, prep your meals in advance. For example, you can measure out your ingredients the night before or practice batch cooking.
Utilise Your Freezer
The freezer can be an important extension to your store cupboard. Did you know you can freeze herbs, fruits and vegetables? These can be very convenient to grab when you need them, and can help you cut down on food waste!
Staple Ingredients
Always keep ingredients for a few staple meals in the pantry and freezer so that there is always a meal just 30 minutes away. This may include dried pasta, quinoa, rice, lentils, canned tomatoes, frozen veg, herbs, spices and olive oil.
We hope we have inspired you to give cooking from scratch a go!
This summer, join an immersive adventure in Paddington – Marmalade Messiness – heading to Dalkeith Country Park, Scotland.
Mrs Bird has brought Paddington, and his friend Pigeonton to Dalkeith Palace to show them where the best marmalade is made. Her old friend from school is the Palace Cook and has promised to give Mrs Bird a tour of the Palace kitchens. However, things have gone awry. Mrs Bird can’t seem to find Paddington in the Palace grounds and desperately needs your help to find him!
On this unique adventure, you will explore Dalkeith Country Park locating pawprints, half-eaten marmalade sandwiches and other clues. You’ll meet characters from the famous stories, played by actors and puppeteers, all on a mission to help you locate Paddington.
The Marmalade Messiness immersive adventure takes audiences through the Dalkeith Country Parkgrounds and into the Palace kitchen exploring the treehouse and river along the way. An adventure for all ages!
At the end of this 50-minute adventure, free arts and crafts-based activities and a café, serving both marmalade and non-marmalade-baseddelights, will await explorers in need of a tasty treat.
Created by Histrionic Productions the team behind acclaimed immersive adventure ‘Autumn Treasure Hunt with Percy The Park Keeper’ At Chiswick House & Gardens and ‘The Peter RabbitTM Garden Adventure – a live immersive experience’ at Blenheim Palace this summer, Paddington Marmalade Messiness – the immersive adventure opens on July 13th 2022, playing throughout the summer school holidays and ends on Monday 4th September 2022.
Created by Sean Holmes (Associate Artistic Director of Shakespeare’s Globe, previously Artistic Director of the Lyric Hammersmith) and Jon Bauser (Designer 2012 Paralympic Games opening ceremony, associate artist Royal Shakespeare Company).
Directed by Bethany West (Shakespeare’s Globe, Royal Court London, Bristol Old Vic) with Puppetry by Jimmy Grimes (The Peter RabbitTM Garden Adventure, War Horse, The One Hundred and One Dalmatians).
A new gastropub with an authentic farm-to-fork philosophy has just opened on the outskirts of Edinburgh. The Fetching Fox, where the emphasis is on an appreciation of local and Scottish produce, is the latest venture launched by the Gammell family – owners of Conifox Adventure Park and the recently opened indoor Activity Centre in Kirkliston.
With a rich family heritage in farming, the restaurant’s modern rustic interior and mouth-watering menus reflect their love of the land and ethos of championing Scotland’s finest seasonal harvest – from local West Lothian-raised beef to hand-dived Orkney scallops.
Locally-produced ice cream also features along with an exuberant cocktail menu of classics and drinks with the Conifox twist – Tartan Apple anyone?
The 100-cover gastropub is housed in the park’s newly refurbished former Stables Bistro, which has been lovingly restored to create a warm and relaxing atmosphere. The distinct décor builds on the natural character of the space which offers a relaxed, informal dining and bar area in a completely new ambience.
Beyond the inviting interior with its log-burning fires, The Fetching Fox also features an outdoor area, with gourmet barbecue in the Summer months, all set against the beautiful rural backdrop.
The creative team in the kitchen is led by Grant Mercer, a veteran of Edinburgh eateries including The Raeburn and Kilted Lobster in Stockbridge. His menus include steaks, Blue Murder cheese sauce, scallops with curried and pickled cauliflower, chocolate French toast for brunch and cardamom rice pudding.
The Fetching Fox will be open on Thursday-Sunday from 5pm offering a mix of small plates, main courses, including dishes from the grill, and desserts. Lunch time bookings will also be available shortly.
James Gammell, Managing Director of Conifox Adventure Park, says: “This is a wonderful new project for us and is really a natural extension of the family’s entrepreneurial spirit and farming history. With our experience of hill farming and having had sheep and cattle in Conifox, we know exactly what it takes to get the very best out of our land.
“In Scotland, we rear some of the best meat and produce in the world and that’s something we wanted to celebrate in our menus. We’re excited to share our vision with our customers and look forward to welcoming diners who have the same appreciation of great, seasonal, Scottish food and drink.”
Local suppliers include Castle Game and local fish supplier, Welch Fishmongers, Edinburgh’s Pickering’s Gin, the Ferry Brewery, Days non-alcoholic beer, Forth Coffee Roasters and S. Luca of Musselburgh ice cream. The Fetching Fox can also accommodate private dining experiences for parties up to 30.
Introducing Leith Stories, a project by Leith For Ever, with an aim to build a living, contemporary digital archive of people’s stories and memories of Leith online – a people’s history, accessible to all.
Join Leith for Ever at one of two workshops during Leith Festival, and share your memories of Leith as it has been in your lifetime, and as it is now.
We’re looking for volunteers to tell us their Leith story and help us create a contemporary audio archive of recorded experiences – the good, the bad, the ugly and the beautiful, that can be shared and built upon over time.
These collected stories will be recorded and shared as audio clips along with a photograph of you on our website or other digital media. We aim to make this archive something that anyone can add their story to over time so that it becomes a growing, accessible documentation of experiences of the people living, working or otherwise visiting or spending time in Leith.
How does it work? How do I participate?
To take part, first book your place on the workshop time and venue of your choice.
We ask our volunteers to think about, and bring along, an object or image that connects you to Leith that you can use as a prompt during the workshop. We will also provide a box of prompt objects if you aren’t able to bring one, so don’t worry if you can’t think of one! We would like to thank The Living Memory Association for the kind loan of their objects. You can find out more about their work by visiting www.livingmemory.org.uk
On the day, please arrive at the venue 10-15 minutes early so we can get you signed in, and consent forms filled out before we start.
Once everyone is signed in we will go through some warm-up exercises as a group and explain how the recording will work.
Then we will ask each participant to share the object they have brought, and chat about what memories or experiences these bring up in conversation. It will be very informal and friendly. During this conversation, we will record the different stories being shared which will become the final, edited, audio recordings for our memory archive.
Following the discussion, each participant will have their photograph taken with their object. This image will be shown on our website or other digital media, alongside the final edited audio clips, and you will be sent a printed copy following the workshops.
We will provide refreshments on the day.
Terms and conditions:
Please be aware that these sessions will be filmed and recorded. We will ask for your consent for this if you choose to participate. We do not plan to share the film at this point in time, only the audio, however please be aware that the film may be used in future (e.g. if we do a documentary of the project in future) or shown to our funders as part of a record of our activity.
We will also be taking a photograph of each participant at the end of the session – A copy of this will be sent to you as a thank you for taking the time to share your stories…
Your contact details and information provided on sign up and consent forms will not be shared publicly, however your name and any information you share that is recorded during the workshop as part of the story-sharing process may be included in the final edit.
What kind of memories / stories are we looking for?
Anything and Everything! This is about sharing the everyday lives of people connected to Leith. ordinary people doing ordinary things – reflecting on life as it was and is for real people.
Here are some examples:
‘I remember we used to drink in the Pond. they had a big fish tank at the back of the room and they would hold BBQ’s out the back sometimes. My friend who lived near there moved away though and we stopped going. It closed during lockdown and new people took over and renamed it The Bullfinch. I’ll need to pop by one day and check it out.’
‘When I moved to Leith in 2011 there was practically no signage on the cycle paths. I kept taking the wrong turn at five ways junction and ending up at Goldenacre, or Lyndsay Road instead of the Water of Leith. It’s much better signed now though, and the path has been upgraded too.’
‘When I was about 12-13 the Ferry Road path didn’t exist. I grew up near trinity, and we used to go down to this green marshy jungle and pretend it was Dagobah from Star Wars. That would have been in the late 80’s. Now I use it to get to work.’
‘I remember that cases (cardboard) of whisky used to be exported via Leith to far off countries no doubt. Stealing bottles would not be an option as open cartons was a tad obvious, so dockers used to drop the cases ‘accidentally’ and then hold a cup at the bottom corner and wait till the whisky worked its way through. The cartons were then sent on their way looking untouched.’
Accessibility
The venue should be fully accessible. If you require someone to accompany you to the workshop to support you or allow you to participate (e.g. a carer/support worker or a translator), you do not need to book a ticket for them. Please contact us to let us know you will have an extra person with you.
Under 16’s
We welcome under 16’s who wish to participate in the workshop, however you must be accompanied by someone over the age of 18. If they will be participating please book a ticket for them, if they will accompany you without participating, please let us know they will be attending with you.
This event has been supported by the Year of Stories 2022 Community Stories Fund. This fund is being delivered in partnership between VisitScotland and Museums Galleries Scotland with support from National Lottery Heritage Fund thanks to National Lottery players.
Sessions will be held on :
Wednesday 15 June from 6 – 8.30pm at Leith Community Centre, Newkirkgate
Saturday 18 June from 2 – 4.30pm at Leith Dockers Club, Academy Street.
More funding for local nature restoration projects
Projects that support biodiversity and improve the health and wellbeing of local communities are set to benefit from further funding.
All local authorities, plus Scotland’s two National Parks, will receive a share of £6.5 million directly from the Scottish Government’s Edinburgh Process Fund – the second stream of the £65 million annual Nature Restoration Fund.
£5 million has been allocated to local authorities to deliver projects that support the priority aims of the Fund: habitat and species restoration, freshwater restoration, coastal and marine protection and eradication of non-native species.
Councils can also apply to top up their direct allocation from a £1.5 million pot to deliver larger scale, multi-year nature restoration projects.
Biodiversity Minister Lorna Slater visited Howden Park in West Lothian to see how previous allocations from the Nature Restoration Fund have helped the local council to improve the biodiversity, connectivity and climate resilience of the popular park.
Ms Slater said: “The Scottish Government is committed to tackling the twin crises of biodiversity loss and climate change, both at home and abroad.
“Connecting people with nature, in urban and rural areas, brings so many benefits in terms of health and wellbeing. Improving our more green spaces will enable people to enjoy spending time outdoors and care for the natural environment on their doorstep.
“The Edinburgh Process Fund will play a critical role in supporting local authorities to restore nature in their area, through things like creating wildflower habitats in parks to restoring floodplains around rivers and expanding native woodland. Projects will be delivered by local government and their partners, who are well placed to direct investment to the projects that will make the most difference for nature and benefit communities”
“The Fund builds on the Edinburgh Process which has established our commitment and reputation as leaders on the natural environment. It has provided a platform establishing the central role of subnational governments, cities and local authorities in delivering for biodiversity. We will continue to drive the Edinburgh Process forward through to COP15 later this year.
NatureScot’s Head of Biodiversity and Geodiversity Dr Katherine Leys said: “We are delighted that the Scottish Government’s Nature Restoration Fund has been able to allocate funding to local authorities through the Edinburgh Process Fund.
“Local authorities have an important role to play in tackling the nature and climate crises, and are very well placed to identify nature restoration priorities at a local scale.”
HOUSING, designed and managed by residents themselves, is the subject of a series of roadshows touring Scotland this summer, and touching down in Edinburgh on the 15th June.
Launched in Kirkwall – last month – the upcoming venues include Inverkeithing, Glasgow and Lenzie.
Cohousing projects are run by their members. Residents look out for each other, enjoy shared common spaces but have their own, self-contained homes. Cohousing communities often have a strong emphasis on environmental sustainability and ecological design.
Cohousing Scotland convener, Andrew Prendergast, said: “We want more people in Scotland to know about Cohousing and all it has to offer.
“Currently, housing provision centres on the commercial developer-led private sector, on the one hand, and state-led social provision on the other. We believe it is time to look to new and innovative ways to solve our country’s housing crisis.”
He continued: “Cohousing Scotland sees a future where Cohousing is part of a thriving, community-led housing movement in Scotland – now is the time for change.
Each of the upcoming locations (Inverkeithing June 7, Glasgow June 9, Edinburgh June 15 and Lenzie June 22), follows broadly the same format: an afternoon drop-in session, for information about wider housing issues, followed by an evening panel discussion featuring expert panellists.
During the arfternoon, a team of young architects from the ‘Imagine If’ collective will host an interactive game session, exploring what ‘home’ means and what our living spaces could look like in the future.
The roadshow is a free, open event. Register for a place, here: Tuesday 7 June: Inverkeithing, Fife – Civic Centre, Queen Street, Inverkeithing KY11 1PA. Format: Drop-in: 2.30pm to 5pm, Panel discussion: 7pm to 8.30pm. Book via https://clach7june.eventbrite.co.uk
Thursday 9 June: Glasgow – Quaker Meeting House, 38 Elmbank Crescent, Glasgow G2 4PS. Format still to be agreed, possibly no drop-in session (be advised), Panel discussion: 7.00pm to 8.30pm. Book via https://clach9june.eventbrite.co.uk
Wednesday 15 June: Edinburgh – Augustine United Church, 41 George IV Bridge, Edinburgh EH1 1EL + ONLINE. Format: Drop-in: 4pm to 5.30pm, Panel discussion: 7.00pm to 8.30pm.
The rebuilding of Trinity Academy is the biggest single investment in Trinity for very many years. It will probably hold that record for many more to come. Importantly, the plan is to redevelop the Academy as a “community school” – an asset for the whole of the community.
So what does a “community school” do? What ought it do? How can the project team determine the needs of the wider community? And how can you play a part in doing that?
On 13th June, Trinity Community Council will host Amanda Hatton, CEC Executive Director of Education and Children’s Services, who will answer these questions and more. Most especially yours.
Amanda’s portfolio includes education, schools, early years, lifelong learning, libraries and community centres as well as social services for adults and children so she is uniquely well placed to discuss the potentials and the needs.
We would love to have your input. Join us on Monday 13th June at 7pm in the Church Hall at Inverleith St Serf’s or from the comfort of your sofa via Zoom using this link:
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has provisionally found that Elite Sports, JD Sports and Rangers Football Club broke competition law by fixing the retail prices of certain Rangers-branded clothing products.
If confirmed, the companies involved can expect to face fines.
The provisional findings are:
Elite Sports and JD Sports fixed the retail prices of a number of Rangers-branded replica kits and other clothing products from September 2018 until at least July 2019.
Rangers FC also took part in the alleged collusion but only to the extent of fixing the retail price of adult home short-sleeved replica shirts from September 2018 to at least mid-November 2018. All 3 parties allegedly colluded to stop JD Sports undercutting the retail price of the shirt on Elite’s Gers Online store.
At the time, Elite was the manufacturer of Rangers-branded clothing and also sold Rangers-branded products directly through Gers Online Store and later in bricks-and-mortar shops in Glasgow and Belfast. The only UK-wide major retailer selling those products at the time was JD Sports.
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) alleges that Rangers FC became concerned about the fact that, at the start of the 2018-19 football season, JD Sports was selling the Rangers replica top at a lower price than Elite, which was seen at the time as the club’s ‘retail partner’.
This resulted in an understanding between the 3 parties that JD Sports would increase its retail price of the Rangers adult short-sleeved home replica shirt by nearly 10%, from £55 to £60, to bring it in line with the prices being charged by Elite on Gers Online.
The CMA is also concerned that Elite and JD Sports – without involvement from Rangers –colluded to fix the retail prices of Rangers-branded clothing, including training wear and replica kit, over a longer period.
This included aligning the level and timing of discounts towards the end of the football season in 2019, to avoid competition between them and protect their profit margins at the expense of fans.
Elite and JD Sports applied for leniency during the CMA’s investigation and confessed to cartel activity. Provided they continue to cooperate with the investigation, each will receive a reduction on any financial penalties the CMA may decide to impose. Any business found to have infringed the prohibitions in the Competition Act 1998 can be fined up to 10% of its annual worldwide group turnover.
Michael Grenfell, Executive Director of Enforcement at the CMA, said: “We don’t hesitate to take action when we have concerns that companies may be working together to keep costs up.
“Football fans are well-known for their loyalty towards their teams. We are concerned that, in this case, Elite, JD Sports and, to some extent, Rangers, may have colluded to keep prices high, so that the 2 retailers could pocket more money for themselves at the expense of fans.”
These are the CMA’s provisional findings and the companies involved now have the chance to make representations to the CMA before it reaches a final decision.
